Project: Sustainable Electrochemical Reduction of contaminants of emerging concern and Pathogens in WWTP effluent for Irrigation of Crops

Acronym	SERPIC (Reference Number: ID 372)
Duration	01/09/2021 - 31/08/2024
Project Topic	SERPIC will develop an integral technology, based on a multi-barrier approach, to treat the effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to maximise the reduction of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). A membrane nanofiltration (NF) technology will be applied to reduce CECs in its permeate stream by at least 90 % while retaining the nutrients. A residual disinfection using chlorine dioxide produced electrochemically will be added to the stream used for crops irrigation (Route A). The CECs in the polluted concentrate (retentate) stream will be reduced by at least 80 % by light driven electro-chemical oxidation. When discharged into the aquatic system (route B), it will contribute to the quality improvement of the surface water body. A prototype treatment plant will be set-up and evaluated for irrigation in long-term tests with the help of agricultural test pots. A review investigation of CECs spread will be performed at four regional showcases in Europe and Africa. It will include a detailed assessment of the individual situation and surrounding condition. Transfer concepts will be developed to transfer the results of the treatment technology to other regions, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Project Results (after finalisation)	The project will provide a safe, sustainable and cost-efficient solution for water polishing treatment that contributes to fulfil the EU goal of efficient water resources management and maximisation of water reuse for irrigation, contributing also to the circular economy. SERPIC will facilitate water reuse for agricultural irrigation in line with the recently adopted European Parliament legislative resolution and regulation on minimum requirements for water reuse. SERPIC will especially contribute to fulfil the Water Framework Directive (WFD). SERPIC addresses the EU's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), which requires that Member States devise a strategy for those contaminants that may have polluting effects in marine regions or sub-regions. The project will support standardisation and regulation by providing new insights on the ability of control and reduction of spread of CECs. It will identify which CECs including ARB and ARGs represent the most difficult to reduce and accordingly the best practices. The project will improve the scientific quality and societal relevance of the results in different socio-economic settings, with the help of the African partner SU and by developing transfer concepts to other regions, providing a rich understanding of the technology and solution impacts in different geographies and socio-economic contexts. The project will have an impact on the political and regulatory framework: It will support the EC in developing tools to help expand the use of safe and efficient water reuse technologies.
Network	AquaticPollutants
Call	1st AquaticPollutants Joint Call 2020

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	Fraunhofer Institute for Surface Engineering and Thin Films IST	Coordinator	Germany
2	University of Ferrara	Partner	Italy
3	SolarSpring GmbH	Partner	Germany
4	University of Castilla La Mancha	Partner	Spain
5	University of Porto	Partner	Portugal
6	AdP - Águas de Portugal, Serviços Ambientais, S.A.	Partner	Portugal
7	Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)	Partner	Norway
8	Stellenbosch University	Partner	South Africa